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For Immediate
Release
1/27/10
Agenda
Public Hearing on Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Wastewater Treatment Issues
  -
2:04
Senate Committee Conducts Hearing on Marcellus Shale Wastewater Issues
Harrisburg -- The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White
(R-21), held a public hearing today on Marcellus Shale natural gas wastewater treatment issues.
The Marcellus Shale is a rock formation that underlies approximately two-thirds of Pennsylvania and portions
of the states of New York and West Virginia and is believed to hold trillions of
cubic feet of clean-burning natural gas.
Extracting natural gas from the
Marcellus Shale formation requires a process used in drilling for decades known
as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." After the well is drilled, large amounts
of water, sand and other fluids are pumped into the shale formation under high
pressure to fracture the shale around the well, which allows the natural gas to
flow freely to the well bore. Once the process is completed, the used water
must be reused in the next well or sent to an approved treatment facility.
The committee heard from Department of Environmental Protection officials, industry representatives and
others.
"Today's hearing provided an
overview of the challenges faced from Marcellus Shale wastewater, and how we can
best meet them," White said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for Pennsylvania
to produce not only an abundant supply of clean energy, but scores of
well-paying jobs. At the same time, citizens have a right to expect that their
natural resources and communities are being respected, that the gas is produced
safely, and that our land and water resources are protected. I am confident
that we can achieve the proper balance."
Hearing testimony, transcripts and video is posted on the committee website at
www.senatormjwhite.com (click
"Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee).
CONTACT:
Patrick Henderson or
energy@pasen.gov
(717) 787-9684
Additional Information:
Environment and Energy
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